Flower Impressions
Creating flower impressions that you can frame is a beautiful, creative way to preserve nature's beauty and decorate your space. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making flower impressions that can be displayed in a picture frame.
Materials Needed
Fresh flowers and leaves (daisies, pansies, ferns, or small roses work well)
Heavy books or a flower press for pressing
Watercolor or thick card stock paper
Wax paper or parchment paper
Hammer or mallet (optional for hammer pressing technique)
Picture frame for displaying the final product
Acrylic spray for sealing (optional, but helps with preservation)
Step 1: Select and Prepare Flowers
Choose flowers and leaves that are flat or can easily be flattened. For best results, use flowers with vibrant colors and minimal moisture, as flowers with thick petals may take longer to dry and press. You may want to trim excess stems or leaves to help the flowers lay flat.
Step 2: Press the Flowers
You can choose from two main techniques to create flower impressions: traditional pressing or hammer pressing. Here’s a breakdown of both:
Traditional Pressing Method
Place the flowers between two sheets of wax paper.
Carefully place the wax paper inside a thick, heavy book or between the layers of a flower press.
Add additional books on top to increase the pressure and leave it undisturbed for 1-2 weeks.
After this time, your flowers should be completely flattened and dried, ready for framing.
Hammer Pressing Method
Place a flower on your paper with its petals spread out in your desired pattern.
Cover the flower with a piece of wax paper to prevent damage to the petals.
Using a hammer or mallet, gently tap over the flower’s surface. Continue until the flower’s color and shape have transferred onto the paper.
Remove any plant material left on the paper carefully with tweezers or by gently peeling it off.
Step 3: Arrange the Flower Impressions
Once your flower impressions are ready, arrange them on a piece of thick cardstock or watercolor paper. Experiment with different layouts — you can create a simple composition, like a single flower, or make a bouquet-style arrangement.
Step 4: Secure the Flowers
To ensure your flowers stay in place and don’t lose color over time, you can apply a light coat of acrylic spray to seal them. This helps preserve the color and prevents dust from accumulating on the flowers over time. Let the spray dry completely before framing.
Step 5: Frame the Impressions
Choose a frame that complements the colors and style of your flower impressions. Place the paper with your flower impressions into the frame, securing it to keep it flat and in place.
Step 6: Display and Enjoy
Find a spot with indirect sunlight to hang your framed flower impression art. Displaying it away from direct light will help preserve the colors for longer.
Tips and Ideas for Flower Impression Art
- Seasonal Collections: Capture the essence of different seasons by pressing flowers specific to each time of year, like tulips in spring or chrysanthemums in fall.
- Layered Look: Arrange flowers and leaves in layers or overlapping for a unique, organic look.
- Minimalist Design: Opt for just one or two flowers centered on a small frame for a delicate, minimalist touch.
Framed flower impressions are a lovely way to bring a piece of nature indoors, making wonderful gifts or beautiful personal decor for your home.